A new systems-level approach to cancer therapeutics
Aligned against cancer
A new systems-level approach to cancer therapeutics
Aligned against cancer
The problem
Solid tumors are lethal
SURVIVAL RATES:
Current treatments are ineffective
15-20%
of tumors respond to checkpoint inhibitors
10%
of chemotherapies show efficacy against solid tumors
CAR-T
cells are generally ineffective against solid tumors
7%
of patients benefit from targeted therapies
MARKET CONTEXT
Why hasn’t the industry been more successful against solid tumors?
REDUCTIONIST AND FRAGMENTED APPROACHES HAVE PREDOMINATED
Cytotoxics
Molecular medicine
Immunoncology
Each of these approaches only analyzes a single part of a complex biological system
And they have failed to drive a meaningful impact against solid tumors
The Challenge
Recent innovations do not solve the translation gap
DISCRETE POINT SOLUTIONS FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMPLEXITY OF CANCER BIOLOGY
Most solid tumors do not have discrete driver mutations
Immunotherapy has limited utility in solid tumors
2D/3D cell cultures and organoid models fail to model the tumor microenvironment sufficiently
PEMBROLIZUMAB (Immunotherapy)
18%
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Sustained Overall Response
5%
Bone Sarcoma Sustained Overall Response
The Challenge
Cancer cells in solid tumors are protected by a complex ecosystem
Our approacH
STEM3: The first integrated, systems-level oncology solution
STEM3: System for Tumor Ecosystem Modulation
01
map
Explore the broader tumor landscape and potential druggable matrix targets using:
  • Multi-modal human tissue data
  • Matrix biology
  • Phenomics
02
MODEL
Create proprietary cancer type-specific ecosystem models to discover novel biology
  • Unique AI/ML models incorporating data from across the ecosystem
  • Validate with gold-standard in vivo models
03
MODULATE
Rapidly (in days) compare genetic and compound phenotypes to identify compound starting points:
  • Improved drug candidates
  • Better clinical-stage results
  • Improved patient outcomes
Our approacH
Our STEM3 platform is an integrated, system-level solution: System for Tumor Ecosystem Mapping/Modeling/Modulation
Seek triple-threat protein targets (cancer cells | matrix | immune cells) & find drugs to attack them
01
map
THE ECOSYSTEM
schematic; Map currently at MVP stage
02
MODEL
THE ECOSYSTEM
in use for sarcoma
03
MODULATE
THE ECOSYSTEM
in use for sarcoma
We identify protein targets that simultaneously control:
Cancer cell growth
Immune cell function
Tumor Matrix Architecture
Inhibiting triple-threat targets will revolutionize cancer therapy
The STEM3 platform allows us to target matrix-rich solid tumors with some of the worst survival rates
Solid Tumor Survival Rates:
22%
Liver cancer
13%
Pancreatic cancer
6-22%
Glioblastoma
15%
Sarcoma
TEAM
A proven team with experience in cancer biology & AI-enabled drug discovery
Anne Carpenter, PhD
Co-founder & Chair SAB
  • Institute Scientist (Broad/MIT/Harvard)
  • $RXRX SAB
  • Co-creator: Cell Painting assay & CellProfiler
  • Top-100 AI Leaders in Drug Discovery & Healthcare
T. S. Karin Eisinger, PhD
Co-founder & CEO
  • Former Ann B. Young Asst. Professor of Cancer Research (UPenn)
  • Co-creator: STEM3 platform
  • NCI- and DoD-funded cancer researcher
Ashley M. Fuller, PhD
Co-founder & CSO
  • ACS BrightEdge entrepreneurship fellow
  • Former American Cancer Society post-doctoral fellowship grantee (UPenn)
  • Co-creator: STEM3 platform
Ying Liu, PhD
Principal Scientist - Team lead
  • Cancer researcher with 10+ years of project management experience
  • Expertise in solid tumor matrix biology and methods development
Business Advisory Board
A business advisory board with expertise in company building, biotechnology, and oncology
Tim Considine, JD
CHAIR, BUSINESS
ADVISORY BOARD
  • 30+ years experience drug development with multiple approvals
  • Former SVP Strategic Development $RXRX
  • Former COO Known Medicine
James Mackay, PhD
MEMBER, BUSINESS
ADVISORY BOARD
  • 30+ years experience drug development with multiple approvals
  • Experienced board member
  • Entrepreneur and CEO with multiple exits
Farnaz Bakhshi, PhD
MEMBER, BUSINESS
ADVISORY BOARD
  • American Cancer Society BrightEdge Director, Innovation
  • Former Director of New Ventures, UMASS Medical School
  • Expert in oncology therapeutic ventures
2024 American Cancer Society BrightEdge Entrepreneur Program
2024 Grand Prize Winner, MIT Royalty Pharma Faculty Founder Competition
2024 Finalists, Mission BioCapital Platinum Program
Publications
Read the foundational research behind our work:
News
See our latest updates
We’d love to hear from you

Let's have a conversation

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.